This Moment

*This Moment* Inspired by Amanda Blake Soule

a moment to remember.

Snow Day.

It was the first (and possibly last) big snow this year and the day was filled with plenty of time spent outside, eating snow cream and drinking homemade hot chocolate. Fun times!

Recipe: : Easy Honey-Ginger-Lemon Syrup

For when you're feeling a bit under the weather, this lovely syrup is just the thing to lift your spirits! 

Easy Honey-Ginger-Lemon Syrup

*Clean Glass Jar

*Honey 

*Ginger

*Lemon

As you can tell, there are no exact measurements here and there doesn't really need to be. It's all based on your own personal preferences. Here is how I did things: :

I took one lemon. Sliced it and then quartered the slices (remeber to remove any seeds!). I then added most of the pieces to the jar, leaving only a couple pieces behind.

I cut about an inch and a half piece of ginger, cut the outer layer off and then diced it into small pieces and then added all of it to the jar.

Finally I poured some honey (any kind you like, raw is prefered.) over the top of the lemon and ginger until it was close to the top of the jar and then with a spoon or fork, mix and smash the syrup to help release some of the lemon juices. 

The syrup will be thin. 

Now pour yourself a glass of hot water (be careful!) and add as much syrup to your mug as you would like (I used about 2 teaspoons for my first mug and feel like I could have used a little more.)

stir and enjoy! 

This Moment

*This Moment* Inspired by Amanda Blake Soule.

A moment to remember.

Recipe: : Simple Pecan-Date Bars

Let's be honest. Lara Bars are expensive. It's only been on the rare occasion that I've eaten one and everytime I do, I think "I could have just made that!". There are currently 1.3 million copy cat recipes out there for Lara Bars (okay, maybe that number is inaccurate.) I figured I should contribute at least one more. 

I have made tons of Lara Bar variations in the past, but my most current one is a new one for me and it was delicious! 

Simple Pecan-Date Bars

* 2 - 8oz bags whole pitted dates

* 1 - 10oz bag whole pecans

* 1/4 - 1/2 cup dried, shredded coconut (start with a small amount first - you don't want the bars to be too crumbly!)

* 1 - 2 tsps. vanilla extract

* First, in a pan, toast up the pecans. (medium heat for a few minutes - constantly stirring until fragrant. Don't burn them!)

* Next, add all of the ingredients in your food processor and pulse for a few minutes until everything is chopped really small. When it starts to sort of "clump", it's probably ready. 

* To test and see if it's ready, take a small amount out of your food processor (while it's turned off of course!) and squeeze it together or roll it into a ball. If it sticks together, then it's ready!

* Get a small glass dish (or whatever shallow baking dish you have) and press the mixture in evenly.

* Sprinkle some shredded coconut on top and press (optional)

 * Place the dish in the fridge for 15- 20 mins to set

* Cut into pieces and enjoy! 

*Notes*

- I purchased my dates from Aldi. One 8oz bag only cost me $1.99!

- I had forgotten to oil my glass dish, but as I found out, after toasting the pecans, the oils released from them helped keep them from sticking to my glass dish.
- Even though your dates will say "pitted", always be careful because there could be pit fragments or even whole pits (like the one I found!) 

This Moment

*This Moment* Inspired by Amanda Blake Soule

A moment to remember.